Lightroom catalog cannot be opened because another application already has it opened

[rsbjsb]

Thanks. Windows 7 pro 64  light room 6 cc. Ok I saved the 5.7 catalog into 6. That catalog got saved as a zip file..never did before. I have to extract the new catalog, delete the lock and right click on the folder to add sharing. All new todos.

[rsbjsb]

Forgot to add that when I add sharing I also have to click on write.

[dj_paige]

You shouldn't be getting a .zip unless you are doing a catalog backup from LR 6.

You should go into Lightroom 6 and use File->Open Catalog and point to your LR 5 catalog. No zip or unzip involved.

I don't understand what "add sharing" means.

[Just Shoot Me]

rsbjsb wrote:

Forgot to add that when I add sharing I also have to click on write.

You Can't SHARE a Lightroom catalog. You also Can't place a Lightroom Catalog on a networked drive, it has to be local to the computer Lightroom is running on. Every time LR opens it places a .LOCK file in the same folder as the catalog file. That is so no other person can access the catalog file while it is already opened by Lightroom. Normally that LOCK file is deleted when Lightroom closes.

It sound like you have the catalog file on one computer or networked drive and you are trying to access it from some other computer. Either that or your system or the Lightroom install is FUBAR and the LOCK file is not being deleted, removed, when LR closes.

[rsbjsb]

Thank you for taking time on a Sunday to help me. My internet went down so

I couldn't respond until now.

I place my lightroom catalog on the external drive with my photos - and

back up everything.

I do not know why lr 6 cc makes a zipped catalog. That is new.

So I unzip the catalog and then open the catalog.

Thank you for your help!

In a message dated 5/31/2015 2:30:56 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

forums_noreply@adobe.com writes:

Lightroom catalog cannot be opened because another application already has

it opened

created by Shootistbond007

(https://forums.adobe.com/people/Shootistbond007) in Photoshop Lightroom - View the full discussion

(https://forums.adobe.com/message/7596225#7596225)

[ssprengel]

LR 6 backups are zipped because that makes them one-tenth the size or so.

[reeceg88819756]

I CANT FIND THE LOCK FILE I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM

[reeceg88819756]

it is ok found the lock file thank you

[garyc23894946]

Hi - I have been through the files and I also have files marked ".LightroomCatalog.ircat.lock.dcm"

Do I delete these as well?

Thanks

[Just Shoot Me]

Yes, Sure, Why Not.

[michaelj97105073]

This worked for me on Win81:

1. Find files: *lrcat.lock

2. Delete/rename files from step 1

3. Restart Lr - life is good and the birds sing - collections and history are preserved

Do not do this:

1. goto: \Users\[userName]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences

2. Delete/rename *.agprefs

3. If you do this you will be able to restart Lr, but your existing collection and history will be gone

[moonunit36]

Hello All,

I am having the same trouble but when searching I don't come up with any .lock files?  Any other suggestions?  I was just using lightroom this morning and it wouldn't close so I did a hard shutdown of the computer.  After that no luck : (

[ND Sol]

Thanks.  That was very helpful as I ran across the issue this morning.

[jessieb27204884]

This worked perfectly!!!

[sway6]

For #2 what do you mean: DELETE/RENAME FILES FROM STEP 1? I found this file, I'm now wondering if I should just right click and delete?

[moonunit36]

Hello All,

I am having the same trouble but when searching I don't come up with any .lock files?  Any other suggestions?  I was just using lightroom this morning and it wouldn't close so I did a hard shutdown of the computer.  After that no luck : (

[dj_paige]

Find the folder that contains your catalog file. If there is a .lock file in that folder, delete the .lock file.

If that doesn't work, you probably found the wrong catalog file and the wrong folder. Have your operating system search for all files whose name ends with .LRCAT, make sure that you check each one's folder for .lock files and delete the .lock file in that folder, continue until you have checked every folder with a .LRCAT file.

If that doesn't work, start from the beginning and describe your exact problem and provide lots of details.

[aimeeh77475719]

Hello all,

llast night I was using Lightroom 5.5, Windows 7 and it just shut me off and turned my computer off. Restarted and once I tried opening photoshop it said "Lightoom cannot use the catalog named 'Lightroom 5 Catalog' because it is not writeable and cannot be opened". I read that yall said to delete the .lock but I have no idea what to do or where to go because when I search for .lock on my start menu nothing comes up.

[dj_paige]

Go to the folder that contains your catalog file. The default location is given here: Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom 5‌

If you're not using the default location, you need to have your operating system search all of your hard disks for files whose name ends with *.lock

Delete the .lock file in that folder. Do not delete anything else.

[aimeeh77475719]

‌will try thank you!

[NannieG]

mine worked too!!! Thanks for all the support!

[winnielim79]

I tried to delete the .lock file but I am unable to delete. The .lock file reappears again.

I'm working on a mac os el capitan, lightroom ver 6

Several days ago, I was unable to close my lightroom and had to force shut my mac. After that, I wasn't able to open my catalog.

I have tried searching my os for all the .lock files but i can't delete any of them. After I move them to trash, the .lock file appears again.

I tried to open my catalog after trying to delete the .lock file. I encountered a message saying that the catalog is corrupted. I tried to run my backup catalog and the message "lightroom catalog cannot be opened because another application already has it opened" appears again.

Please help!! I need my files urgently. Thanks.

[Just Shoot Me]

Make sure Lightroom is Shut Down. on OS X just closing a window you are working in does not close the program.

A .lock file is always created when a catalog is opened. That is to stop other instances of LR from opening that same catalog.

If you are unsuccessful in deleting the the .lock file them you have other problems with your Mac.

[winnielim79]

i have closed shutdown lightroom. It just doesn't work. I have no other issues with my Mac though so I really don't know what is wrong.

[JP Hess]

A lock file is generated and exists whenever Lightroom is open, and is deleted during the normal Lightroom shut down process. The lock file is created by the underlying database technology. If you try to delete that file while Lightroom is open, you won't be able to because the file is in use. If you are completely shutting down Lightroom, and it seems to close properly but the lock file remains, then something is not right with your installation. You might benefit from reinstalling.